I Have a Great Source of Greens...

[OldGuy43]

It's a weed, but the cluckers love it. I just mow it, rake it and throw it into their run, but I don't know what it is.

I don't necessarily want to get rid of it for obvious reasons.

It's really dark green in color. It grows very prolifically along side my house where it is shaded most of the day and is probably the wettest. It must be a weed. No matter what I do to it it keeps coming back. It does not spread into the dryer, sunnier parts of my lawn. It also seems to grow year around and is very drought tolerant. It grows very thick as you can see and doesn't get more than about 4" tall. It's really rather pretty.

Does anyone have any idea what it is?
Thanks,

 

[justafeedboy]

To me it looks like a variety of chick weed

 

[OmyChickens]

I have the same stuff growing in my yard. but its mixed with clover. The chicks wont touch that plant (whatever it is) but they devour the clover.

 

[Clay Mudd]

Quote:
+1.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I am a WSU Master Gardener and I am 99% sure it is chickweed. They love it!

 

[b.hromada]

Wow, I wouldn't mind that growing in my yard!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

There are places that sell chickweed seed, if you really want some.

 

[cva34]

Quote:
Wonder where the got the NAME?????????? (chickweed) LOL...cva34

 

[joan1708]

does it ever bloom? does it grow straight up or vine out?

 

[OldGuy43]

I can't say that I've ever noticed any flowers, but than they must have some way of propagating, huh? Usually I just mow 'em down. Now that I've found a use for them I'll probably pay more attention. Anyway, I went out this morning and got a couple of complete plants and took these pictures:

I was surprised at the short root system considering how drought tolerant they are.

I'm hoping they really are some kind of Chick Weed. They grow right next to the cluckers run so I could claim that I planted them there on purpose.